Democratic Elected Officials

Josh is Chair of the Board of Commissioners and has served on the board since 2020. Josh cares deeply about being available to every resident and utilizing the county government to foster economic growth, improve access to accessible and affordable housing, make the government more efficient, and preserve our open spaces.

Marian Moskowitz has dedicated her career to growing and strengthening Chester County. After four decades as a responsible local developer, she ran for Commissioner in 2019 because she believes that everyone deserves to live in a safe and prosperous community. As the first Democratic Chairwoman of the County Board of Commissioners, she’s delivered real results for Chester County

Chris de Barrena-Sarobe was elected as Chester County DA in 2023. Chris started as a prosecutor at the Chester County DA’s Office in 2009, prosecuting a wide variety of cases. In 2015, he left the DA’s Office to become a federal prosecutor in Delaware. There he investigated and prosecuted social security fraud, high-level drug trafficking, kidnapping, and other violent offenses. Recently, Assistant United States Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. selected Chris and his team for the Criminal Division’s 2022 Distinguished Service Award, in recognition of their work on a cartel kidnapping case. A Temple Law graduate, Chris currently works at Bellwoar Kelly, LLP.  He lives in Willistown with his wife and two daughters.

The County Code requires the Controller to maintain custody and stewardship of all County contracts.  All such documents are recorded to insure that the physical documents are received after they are approved by the Board of Commissioners.  The Controller perpetually monitors all contract, agreement and lease payments to ensure that no payment exceeds the limits or terms of those documents.

The Treasurer is the custodian of all county funds. Payments of county taxes and fees, state and federal grants, and other monies due the county are received and deposited by this office.

Kevin Dykes was elected Chester County Sheriff in 2023. Kevin served as Chief Deputy Sheriff of the Chester County Sheriff’s Office. With over 42 years of law enforcement experience and leadership training, he will continue to serve the community with strong ethical leadership, ensuring the public safety in our courthouse and government facilities.

The graduate of the FBI National Academy has previously served as Chief of Chester County Detectives, Pennsylvania State Trooper, advisory board member of DVCCC's Coaching Boys Into Men program, and "Top Gun" instructor.

Debbie Bookman was sworn in on January 2020 as Prothonotary. Since taking office Debbie has extended passport services to evening hours. Debbie has placed staff in roles that best suit their strength and interest, expanded bilingual services and increased diversity from 4% to 18%. Debbie prides herself on providing excellent community and customer services. She believes that when you are serving others it is often necessary to go the extra mile whenever possible. Customer service ultimately is the core of the Prothonotary’ s Office.

The Clerk of Courts manages all paperwork for all criminal cases in the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.  This office handles approximately 5,000 – 6,000 criminal cases each year.

The Register of Wills probates wills and appoints estate representatives for decedents who die with or without a will. Regardless of where the death occurred, the decedent MUST have been a legal resident of Chester County at the time of death. The Register of Wills also serves as an agent for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for filing and payment of inheritance taxes.

Diane was elected in 2023. A resident of Uwchlan Township for 32 years, Diane O’Dwyer was sworn in as Acting Recorder of Deeds on December 1, 2022.  Prior to that, she served as Deputy Recorder for 3 years.  Diane has been an active member of CCDC since 2004 and is currently a Democratic State Committee Member.  She is a Board Member of the Housing Partnership of Chester County. Diane is proud of the solid reputation her office has built for excellence in public service.

The Chester County Coroner's Office is an independent agency serving the citizens and honoring the deceased of the county by investigating the facts and circumstances concerning jurisdictional deaths which have occurred within Chester County.

Senator John Kane is a plumber and local labor leader who has spent his life fighting for working people and working families. He has personally battled through many of the challenges facing Pennsylvanians today, and is ready to be a voice at the table for Delaware and Chester Counties.

State Senator Carolyn T. Comitta is a leader in championing our communities, defending our environment, and working to ensure a safer, cleaner, and brighter future for the next generation of Pennsylvanians and beyond. She has served her community as mayor, State Representative and State Senator.

Senator Katie Muth is a passionate advocate for change. Grounded in the strong values of hard work, dedication, and commitment to helping others, Senator Muth is determined to champion Pennsylvanians. In 2018, Senator Muth was elected to the state Senate’s 44th District, representing Montgomery, Chester and Berks Counties.

Paul Friel was elected to the state PA House of Representatives in November 2022, serving the state’s 26th Legislative District in Chester County. Friel has spent his career innovating and leading in the manufacturing, retail and environmental sectors. Most recently, he was owner of PACE Environmental, an environmental testing and engineering firm. He has also been highly invested in his community -- serving on the executive boards of nonprofits such as Camp Rainbow and the Philadelphia Boys’ Choir, coaching wrestling, and serving as president of the Owen J. Roberts School Board.

Rep Williams. is a member of the PA House of Representatives. He represents the 74th District in Chester County, which includes  CITY of Coatesville and the TOWNSHIPS of Caln (PART, Districts 01, 02 and 03), Honey Brook, Sadsbury, Valley, West Caln and West Sadsbury and the BOROUGHS of Atglen, Honey Brook, Modena, Parkesburg and South Coatesville.

State Representative Danielle Friel Otten elected in November 2018 to serve as state representative for the 155th District. Danielle lives in Exton with her husband and two children. She was born and raised in Philadelphia, and has called Chester County home for two decades after falling in love with the area while attending West Chester University.

From serving our country in the U.S. Army to our county as the first Democratic Recorder of Deeds, Chris Pielli built his career around public service. Pielli is a father, a husband, an attorney, a veteran, and a teacher. He was a Democratic State Committeeperson, and a Township Supervisor. As the Republican Party threatens our basic freedoms, Pielli chooses to fight—defending voting rights; protecting our air, water, and the environment; fighting for healthcare and equal rights.

Melissa Shusterman was elected to represent that 157th Legislative District on November 6, 2018. Melissa is a fourth generation resident of Chester County. Melissa was raised in Tredyffrin and graduated from Conestoga in 1985.

Representative Sappey is the first woman and first Democrat to represent the 158th legislative district. The 158th includes East Bradford, Avondale, East Marlborough, London Britain, New Garden, Newlin, West Bradford, West Marlborough and sections of West Goshen.

Kristine Howard was elected state representative for the 167th Legislative District in November 2018. The district includes parts of Charlestown, East Whiteland, Easttown, West Pikeland, West Whiteland, Willistown Township, and Malvern Borough.

Throughout his career as a public servant, Josh Shapiro has taken on the status quo, brought people together to solve tough problems, and delivered results for the people of Pennsylvania. Since 2017, he has served as the People’s Attorney General, working every day to stand up to powerful institutions and protect Pennsylvanians’ rights. Now, Josh is running to be Pennsylvania’s next Governor — to move our Commonwealth forward and tackle our biggest challenges.

Elected at Lt. Governor in 2022. Elected to the PA House in 2018, Austin Davis became the first African American to serve as state representative for the 35th Legislative District in Allegheny County. Currently, Austin serves as chair of the Allegheny County House Democratic Delegation and vice chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee, as well as serving on the House Appropriations Committee, House Consumer Affairs Committee, House Insurance Committee, and House Transportation Committee. Austin is also a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, Climate Caucus, and PA SAFE Caucus.

Bob Casey is a champion for Pennsylvanians in the U.S. Senate, fighting for the needs of children, families, and workers across the Commonwealth.

Elected to the US Senate in 2022. 20 years ago, John came to Braddock to start a GED program. He became mayor, and for 13 years worked to build the once-booming steel town back from collapse. As Lieutenant Governor, John has transformed the position into a bully pulpit for criminal justice reform. He has led the fight to free the wrongfully convicted and give second chances to deserving longtime inmates, and championed the cause of legalizing marijuana on a historic tour of all 67 counties.

U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, engineer, entrepreneur, and educator who is continuing her career of service as the first woman ever to represent Pennsylvania's 6th District in Congress.